Heartbreaking Defeat ends the Comet’s State Run

Saturday evening the Penn Manor Comets field hockey team took on Emmaus in a state power house throw-down, for the second time.

Emmaus, undefeated and ranked number one in the state, proved itself to be a formidable opponent for the explosive offense of the Comets, holding them to no goals. Emmaus was one of two losses the Comets had previous to Saturday’s state playoff battle, and would become their third and end their season.

“It was a heartbreaking loss,” Matt Soto, head coach for the Comets said. “I thought we played a terrific game, but we were just unable to score.”

Matt Soto, Coach of the Penn Manor Field Hockey team, is going to miss his current senior class. photo courtesy of the PMFH Website

Despite the loss, the Comets have achieved a lot.

The Comets tore through the section, winning it by blasting Hempfield 6-0. They then took to the Lancaster-Lebanon League, defeating Lancaster Mennonite in overtime 3-2.

They then battled their way to the district finals, losing to a well respected Hershey team 1-0.

And finally, losing to a field hockey program such as Emmaus 1-0, is nothing to be ashamed of. Suffering only three losses all season, two to the best team in the state, the Comets were a force to be reckoned with and had a memorable season.

“Our overtime victory at LMH was very memorable. Going up to Crestwood and beating them the way we did was a lot of fun as well,” Soto said.

The seniors made it known that they would miss field hockey, their coach and each other.

“I’m going to miss being with everyone. We formed a lot of friendships and it’s a weird thought that I’m never going to step on the field with them again,” captain Renee Suter said.

Renee Suter, captain for Penn Manor, is going to miss her teammates.

Suter and Katie Breneman, both team captains, said they were definitely going to miss the many bus rides they had this past season.

“These seniors are a terrific group. They’re extremely fun to be around,” Soto said about his senior leaders.

Regardless of the end of this season, the Comets will continue year after year to be a standout program in the state of Pennsylvania and a force with which to be reckoned.